Sagging and volume loss of the labia majora are common changes associated with ageing, hormonal fluctuations, menopause, or weight changes. When the labia majora lose their natural volume, they may appear thinner, less firm, and provide less protection for the labia minora and the vulva. Today, several medical treatments can restore volume to the labia majora in order to replenish their fullness, improve their aesthetic appearance, and reinforce their protective role.
The fullness of the labia majora is maintained by the subcutaneous fatty tissue, together with a network of collagen and elastin fibres that provide the tissues with their firmness and supportive capacity. The balance between these different components determines the volume and appearance of the vulvar region.
Several factors can gradually alter this balance and contribute to volume loss :
Volume loss of the labia majora can present in different ways :
These changes develop gradually and may become more pronounced after menopause.
Certain measures can help slow the ageing of the labia majora, but they cannot restore lost volume.
A healthy lifestyle nevertheless remains beneficial :
• A diet rich in protein and antioxidants.
• Regular physical activity.
• Smoking cessation.
• Adequate hydration.
• Maintaining a stable weight.
Hyaluronic acid injections are now one of the most widely used treatments to restore volume to the labia majora.
Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally present in the body. Its ability to retain water provides immediate volume while improving tissue hydration.
The results are visible immediately after the treatment, but the final results are achieved after 3 weeks.
On average, the results last between 10 and 12 months before the product is gradually absorbed.
The duration varies depending on several factors : the type of hyaluronic acid used, individual metabolism, physical activity, and lifestyle.
Labia majora lipofilling is an intimate surgical procedure that restores vulvar volume using the patient's own fat. Unlike hyaluronic acid injections, the material used is not a resorbable filler but autologous tissue, meaning it is harvested directly from the patient.
The procedure includes three successive steps : harvesting fat by micro-liposuction, processing and purifying the fat to select the most viable cells, and then reinjecting it into the labia majora to restore their natural fullness.
The choice depends primarily on the patient's anatomy, the extent of the volume loss, and the desired result.
Hyaluronic acid is often preferred when :
• The volume loss is moderate.
• The patient prefers a non-surgical treatment.
• Recovery time needs to be minimal.
• A reversible result is desired.
Lipofilling may be recommended when :
• The volume loss is significant.
• A long-lasting correction is desired.
• The patient has sufficient fat reserves.
• A more comprehensive surgical procedure is acceptable.
No. The benefits are not exclusively aesthetic.
The labia majora play an important protective role. When they lose volume, some women report :
• More frequent irritation.
• Increased sensitivity to friction.
• Discomfort during physical activities.
• Discomfort when wearing tight-fitting clothing.
• Recurrent yeast infections.
Restoring volume can help improve daily comfort by providing better protection for the vulvar tissues.
As with any medical procedure, certain situations require prior evaluation. A clinical examination is therefore essential before any treatment.
The main contraindications are :
The recovery is generally straightforward.
After a hyaluronic acid injection, it is common to experience slight swelling, temporary tenderness, and a few small bruises.
These effects usually disappear within a few days.
After lipofilling, the swelling is more pronounced and may persist for several weeks before the final result stabilizes.
When performed by an experienced physician with expertise in female intimate anatomy, labia majora augmentation is primarily intended to restore harmonious, well-proportioned volume.
The goal is not to alter the natural anatomy but to correct volume loss related to aging or other factors. The result should respect each patient's natural proportions.
A consultation may be considered if the patient notices :
• A visible loss of volume in the labia majora.
• Tissue laxity.
• Aesthetic concerns.
• Functional discomfort.
• Significant changes after menopause.
• Volume loss following weight loss.
Restoring the volume of the labia majora serves both anatomical and functional purposes. Over time, hormonal changes, the natural aging process, or weight loss can lead to a reduction in the subcutaneous fatty tissue, gradually altering the natural contour and protective function of the vulva.
Today, two approaches can correct this volume loss. Hyaluronic acid injections provide a non-surgical medical solution with an immediately visible and reversible effect. Lipofilling involves reinjecting the patient's own fat and represents a surgical alternative when this technique is more appropriate.
Beyond improving the appearance of the vulva, labia majora augmentation aims to restore more effective tissue coverage of the underlying anatomical structures. In some patients, this restoration of volume is also associated with reduced friction and improved daily intimate comfort.
Article written by Dr Romano Valeria
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